Victor Pelin: Crafting Moldova's heritage in wood
To mark the 75th birthday of folk master Victor Pelin, recipient of the "Master Craftsman" title, the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History inaugurated the anniversary exhibition "Wood, Soul, Passion – A Life of Creation."
Visitors can admire a rich collection of objects: traditional wooden plate racks, decorative platters, ornate flasks, dowry chests, and children's toys. All are meticulously crafted and embellished with traditional motifs. Trophies created for various national events are also on display.
People were delighted to meet Victor Pelin at the anniversary event, where his works were also on display:
"You've captivated everyone with your fantastic works; you are truly a master of artistic wood processing."
"The pieces you see here are crafted with immense patience; they are intricate and clearly took a great deal of effort."
Victor Pelin's passion for artistic wood processing was instilled in him during childhood by his father and grandfather. Although he initially chose a career as a telecommunications engineer, working in that field for almost three decades, he eventually returned to the woodworking workshop in the 1990s. Gradually, he became a good friend of the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History.
"The museum's collection was a great source of inspiration for him, and he incorporated certain motifs from it. The wooden motifs he carves are traditional. He has generously donated many pieces to our museum, and these are now part of both our collection and the national heritage of the Republic of Moldova," stated Petru Vicol, Director of the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History.
The decorative and utilitarian objects, skillfully crafted by Victor Pelin using various techniques, embody the connection between humanity and nature.
"Through his works, he strives to bring back everything symbolic and ancestral from the realm of traditional culture, thereby forming the pillar of our historical identity, viewed from a modern perspective," asserts ethnographer Varvara Buzilă.
Although he recently went through a difficult time, losing his wife, who supported and inspired him, Victor Pelin continues to translate into wood the ideas and projects they conceived together.
"I'm glad I can still create. When you work, you truly accomplish something. My next exhibition will feature only new pieces. I already have many ideas and sketches; I just need to bring them to life," mentioned Victor Pelin.
You can discover more secrets of this master craftsman's artistry in upcoming editions of the "Tezaur" show on Moldova1.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
